PPA bats for Ro-Ro system

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is making a renewed push for the Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) port system to heed the private sector’s call to improve facilities as operators are modernizing their fleet.

PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said his agency is collaborating with the Manila Sports Car Club to traverse the western node of the Ro-Ro highway composed of the ports of Batangas, Mindoro, Caticlan, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Dapitan in Zamboanga.

“The Ro-Ro system is the most efficient means to connect the country’s islands, which is why it is important to guarantee its continued viability for trade and tourism,” Santiago said.

“With the influx of bigger, high-capacity and sophisticated Ro-Ro vessels, we need a responsive port system to cater to these demands,” he added.

The government has identified the modernization and expansion of the operations of the Ro-Ro system as one of its top priorities to maintain inter-island connectivity.

In 2003, the government issued a policy to promote the Ro-Ro system which is designed to carry rolling stock cargo that does not require cranes for loading or unloading.

The government continues to encourage additional private sector investments in Ro-Ro operations particularly in areas where there is huge traffic volume.

The Asian Development Bank said in a report the Ro-Ro system is beneficial as it cuts not just the cost of transport, but travel time as well.